Simple solution to preserve plant samples for microbiome analyses.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology
• Plant Science

Background:

• Culture-independent techniques are crucial for plant microbiome assessment.
• Effective DNA preservation is vital for accurate microbiome surveys.
• Standard -80°C freezing is often impractical, and commercial preservatives are costly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of RNAlater, DESS, and -80°C freezing for preserving plant samples for microbiome analysis.
• To evaluate the impact of preservation methods on bacterial and fungal diversity.

Main Methods:

• Samples were preserved using RNAlater, a homemade dimethyl sulfoxide solution (DESS), or by freezing at -80°C.
• DNA was extracted, and bacterial and fungal communities were analyzed using culture-independent methods.
• Alpha diversity metrics were compared across preservation groups.

Main Results:

• DESS-preserved samples showed no significant difference compared to -80°C frozen samples for up to four weeks at room temperature.
• RNAlater significantly inflated bacterial alpha diversity.
• Fungal alpha diversity was not significantly influenced by any preservation treatment.

Conclusions:

• Dimethyl sulfoxide solution (DESS) is a cost-effective and versatile preservative for plant DNA.
• DESS enables accurate bacterial and fungal diversity analyses in plant microbiomes.
• This method provides a practical alternative to freezing for field sample preservation.